habitable

adjective

hab·​it·​able ˈha-bə-tə-bəl 

 also  hə-ˈbi-tə-

: capable of being lived in : suitable for habitation

habitability

ˌha-bə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

habitableness

ˈha-bə-tə-bəl-nes 

noun

habitably

ˈha-bə-tə-blē 

 also  hə-ˈbi-tə-

adverb

Synonyms

• inhabitable
• livable
• liveable

Examples of habitable in a Sentence

The house is not habitable.

the frigid Arctic is not habitable for amphibians and reptiles—or for humans, either, for that matter

Recent Examples on the Web

The habitable zone describes a planet that is the perfect distance from its star so that water can remain in liquid form on its surface instead of freezing or vaporizing. —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024

Bringing in this new data on the dynamo could provide insight into habitable zones as well. —Devika Rao, theweek, 18 Nov. 2024

Based on precise analysis of Europa's movements orbiting Jupiter, scientists believe an ocean is present under the moon's icy crust that may provide a habitable environment. —William Harwood, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2024

Yet the planet has been long theorized to have been habitable many millions of years ago, with oceans of liquid water. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

habitable

adjective

hab·​it·​able ˈhab-ət-ə-bəl 

: suitable or fit to live in

a habitable cave

habitability

ˌhab-ət-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

Legal Definition

habitable

adjective

hab·​it·​able ˈha-bi-tə-bəl 

: suitable and fit for a person to live in : free of defects that endanger the health and safety of occupants see also warranty of habitability at warranty

habitability

ˌha-bi-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

habitableness noun

habitably adverb